Advocacy Officer (Maternity Cover) Full Time NEW

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Advocacy Officer (Maternity Cover) to join our CO Ethiopia.

Team and Role Purpose

Addis Ababa hosts the African Union (AU), one of the world’s most influential institutions, whose policies, frameworks, and decisions shape the lives of millions of children across the African continent. Through its normative, policy, and convening roles, the AU plays a critical part in advancing children’s rights, promoting social justice, strengthening protection systems, and supporting sustainable development outcomes for children.

Save the Children’s Global Diplomacy and Engagement Team in Addis Ababa serves as strategic gateway for engagement with AU institutions and other Pan-African stakeholders. The team works to influence regional policies, commitments, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that children’s rights and wellbeing remain at the center of the AU agenda. This includes advancing priorities related to child protection, education, health, humanitarian action, participation, and children’s rights in conflict and crisis settings.

By building strong partnerships with AU departments, member states, civil society organizations, regional networks, and development partners, the team promotes evidence-based advocacy and supports the implementation of continental frameworks that safeguard and advance children’s rights.

Role purpose

Based in Addis Ababa, one of Save the Children’s three global advocacy hubs alongside Geneva and New York, this role influences African Union (AU) institutions to protect and advance children’s rights across Africa, with a dedicated focus on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC).

The role holder will lead strategic engagement with critical AU bodies, particularly the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC). S/he will collaborate closely with key AU departments, including Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), to support the implementation of their mandates and champion child protection in conflict contexts

• Job Title: Advocacy Officer (Maternity cover)
• Reports To: Save the Children AU Lead
• Work Pattern:Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available
• Location: Ethiopia. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers
• Required Time Zone: EAT/ GMT +3
• Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract (until February 2027)
• Right to Work:The successful candidate must have the right to work in the country where the role is based, for the duration of employment.
• Language Requirements: English
• International Travel:up to 20%
• Remit: Global- AU focus

Principal Accountabilities

Advocacy & Engagement

• Support advocacy efforts promoting the implementation of, and accountability for, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child ( ACERWC), including assisting the activities and mandate of the ACERWC.
• Contribute to advocacy on CAAC issues and support the mandate of the African Union (AU) Special Envoy on CAAC.
• Serve as the focal point for the Education in Emergencies cluster, working closely with UNHCR and the ESTI Department.
• Facilitate the active engagement of CSOs and children in AU policy-making processes, including Specialized Technical Committees and the CSO Forum.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly progress updates to relevant internal SCI stakeholders.

Capacity building

• Support the development of complementary reports to ACERWC, including working with SCI Country Offices and partners in the development of reports.
• Support the strengthening of CSO networks in Africa to promote and advocate for children rights.
• Support identification and adoption of the CSO priorities for promoting participation and protection rights of children.

Project Management

• Assist in the preparation of project proposals, budgets, narrative plans and reports in line with grant requirements

Representation

• Represent Save the Children in external meetings, when relevant.
• The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within their level of skills and experience

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Good knowledge and understanding of the child rights mechanisms and structures at the AU.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the AU institutions, and their broader role in development and humanitarian issues
3. Experience of working through and together with others, and with providing technical assistance in a respectful manner.
4. Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences.
5. Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
6. Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
7. Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
8. Commitment to Save the Children’s values

Desirable

• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.
• Proficiency in French language desirable

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in human rights, law, international relations, economics, politics or a related policy field is desirable.

Desirable

• Advocacy experience preferably with the AUC or other African regional bodies in child rights, child health, child protection or another relevant area.

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world’s leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children’s voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

How To Apply

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Link: https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/17353?utm_medium=jobboard&utm_source=linkedin